Kelowna RCMP have confirmed a 24-year-old Leduc woman has died as a result of a drug overdose at the Boonstock music festival in Penticton, B.C.

Penticton RCMP responded to a report of an overdose death at around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Alberta woman was taken to hospital from the event grounds. While at the hospital, police discovered two other people were in critical condition as a result of a drug overdose from the Boonstock festival.

In total, RCMP estimate a dozen other people have been taken to hospital over Friday night and into Saturday morning.

In a statement posted on the Boonstock Music Festival Facebook page, festival organizers said the woman became “distressed” while dancing at one of the event’s stages.

“Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she tragically passed away at the Penticton Regional Hospital,” organizers said. “We are deeply saddened by this news and we know that our communities will band together and keep her and her loved ones in our thoughts. Lastly, and most important, we send our condolences to the loved ones of this young woman. We are deeply saddened by this news and send our thoughts and prayers.”

The rock festival moved from Gibbons, Alta., just under 40 kilometres north of Edmonton, to interior B.C. in 2014 after the festival was refused a permit to return following 2013 concerns from residents about drugs, violence and vandalism.

Some are happy about that.

“Our residents are very happy that they no longer have to deal with the event,” said Sturgeon County Coun. Karen Shaw, who was part of the council that voted to banish the show from Gibbons.

Not a smooth move

Organizers moved the mayhem to Penticton, B.C., a town more known for its wine country than its beer bongs.

The move wasn’t an altogether smooth one. About a month before opening day, the company in charge of security for the concert backed out, citing cutbacks in safety measures and directions from organizers to keep information from police and the B.C. liquor board as reasons.

The concert then lost its liquor licence due to a laundry list of health and safety shortfalls from security problems to clean drinking water availability.

“Sounds unprofessional the way this thing has been set up. Was gonna go, but it sounds like Bert and Ernie are running the show,” posted one unimpressed non-visitor amidst complaints about a lack of communication.

Penticton visitors were also tweeting about the influx of rock fans.

One, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the first day brought a huge increase in police and ambulance noise in the otherwise relaxed town.

“I can see why it was banned from Alberta,” she explained. “Penticton went from a peaceful vacation to feeling like you’re in Vegas! Absolutely crazy!”

The negative fallout was tempered by the potential for business, though.

“The festival themselves have had their issues and their tribulations,” said Campbell Watt, president of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce and local mortgage broker the first night of the festival. “But it’s been very positive so far.”

Watt explained the initial reaction was mostly one of excitement about the possibility for increased tourism, an industry that has waned in the past 15 years.

“People who are against it are strongly against it. I don’t believe that they’re necessarily talking about if from their business perspective,” he said. “I know this weekend could potentially make or break this event.”

As Advertised in the Edmonton SUN

Leduc woman dies at former Alberta rock festival

A rock festival’s move from just north of Edmonton to interior B.C. is prompting mixed reactions from its new hosts.

The Boonstock rock festival was refused a permit to return in 2014 following concerns from residents the year prior about drugs, violence and vandalism.

Some are happy about that.

“Our residents are very happy that they no longer have to deal with the event,” said Sturgeon County Coun. Karen Shaw, who was part of the council that voted to banish the show from Gibbons.

As the saying goes, the show must go on. Organizers moved the mayhem to Penticton, B.C., a town more known for its wine country than its beer bongs.

The move wasn’t an altogether smooth one. About a month before opening day, the company in charge of security for the concert backed out, citing cutbacks in safety measures and directions from organizers to keep information from police and the B.C. liquor board as reasons.